Antronesca Trail

A new race in the heart of the Antrona Valley

The Antronesca Trail debuts in 2026, inviting mountain running enthusiasts to explore one of the most evocative trails in the Verbano-Cusio-Ossola region of Piedmont. The race connects the Ossola valley floor of Villadossola to the village of Antrona Schieranco, climbing through the Antrona Valley via forests, alpine pastures, and ancient rural settlements. This competitive event was created to showcase an authentic mountain landscape that remains largely untouched by mass tourism.

The course: 26 km along the historic Antronesca route

The track spans 26 kilometers with 1,096 meters of positive elevation gain and 450 meters of descent, reaching a maximum altitude of approximately 1,352 meters around the 21st kilometer. Only 10% of the route is paved; the rest follows trails and mule tracks, largely retracing the Antronesca route, the ancient path that linked the Ossola valley floor to the Antrona Valley and, via the Antrona Pass, Italy to the Swiss Valais. The use of trekking poles is prohibited.

The Iron Valley

The Antrona Valley is known among the Ossola valleys as the Iron Valley: its mines were crucial for the development of the Villadossola steel industry in the 19th century. Running along this ancient route means traversing a landscape of terraces, historic churches, mills, ovens, and wine presses that tell centuries of mountain life, all within the protected natural setting of the Alta Valle Antrona Natural Park.

A race in the regional circuit

The Antronesca Trail is organized by A.S.D. G.S. Genzianella (FIDAL code VB025) and is the seventh stage of the 2026 Eco Piemonte Trophy, valid for the individual and team provincial championships. Participation is open to FIDAL members, RUNCARD holders, and athletes from affiliated Sports Promotion Bodies, in the Promesse, Senior, and Master categories up to 75 years of age.

Services and hospitality

• Refreshment stations along the route and at the finish line
• Medical assistance and ambulance on-site
• Restrooms and showers
• Shuttle service
• Race pack with local food products and a lunch voucher for the first 200 registrants

The finish at the Area Feste in Antrona Schieranco turns the day into a mountain festival, with an awards ceremony concluding a race designed for those who love the challenge and the breathtaking views of the Piedmontese Alps.